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enCosta in contention for Arsenal showdownJose Mourinho has revealed that Diego Costa will return to training with the rest of the Chelsea squad next week and is in contention to face Arsenal.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-contention-arsenal-clash
Costa has not played since limping offjust 10minutes after coming on as a substitute against Stoke City on April 4,with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
He will again watch from the sidelines as Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but could be involvedat the Emirates Stadium in nine days' time.
"[Costa]is progressing very well. I think he has a chance for the next weekend," Mourinho said.
"Our target was for Diego to play in the last four matches. Arsenal is the sixth match to the end so if he doesn't play [against] Arsenal or Leicester [the following Wednesday], it is not a problem.
"He starts training with the rest of the squad next week."
Despite being limited to 24appearances through injury, Costa is the Premier League's joint top-scorer with 19 goals.
news_articleFri, 17 Apr 2015 12:21:33 +0000Anonymous376640 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPFA Player of the Year award: the cases for this seasons six nomineesMichael Coxmakes the cases for this seasons shortlisted stars...Michael Coxhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/pfa-player-year-award-cases-seasons-six-nominees
David de Gea (Man United)
Unquestionably the Premier League’s standout goalkeeper this season, De Gea constantly rescued Manchester United when Louis van Gaal had yet to implement his methods successfully and United were often on the back foot. His shot-stopping remains outstanding, with a series of saves in a 2-1 victory at the Emirates against Arsenal particularly memorable. De Gea’s reactions have always been good, however.
The previous question about the Spaniard was whether he could cope with the physicality of the league, but he’s bulked up and now commands his box. Whereas many continental keepers prefer to punch, De Gea has caught 82% of aerial balls this season –and not dropped one.
SEE ALSO De Gea's saves may well catch the eye, but there's so much more to his triumphant rise
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
The Brazilian playmaker has enjoyed his most consistent season at Liverpool, and the starring role he's been given with Luis Suarez gone and Daniel Sturridge often sidelined. He suited the 3-4-3 formation perfectly with his drifts infield, and also played excellently in a forward role against Newcastle.
Capable of intelligent movement and beautiful through-balls, Coutinho needs to become more efficient in the final third: 4 goals and 4 assists isn’t bad, but not quite PFA Player of the Year standard.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian will be in the PFA Team of the Year for the third successive season –and this has been his best yet. While his team-mates have dipped in recent weeks, Hazard has continued his excellent form and is probably the best all-round attacker in the Premier League.
He’s created more chances than Fabregas, has a better shot-conversion rate than Sergio Aguero, and has completed more dribbles than any other player in the division. His 12 goals, interestingly, have come in 12 different games –and that summarises Hazard’s solid, understated consistency.
He hasn’t scored the spectacular goals Gareth Bale managed two years ago, or managed the individual performances of Luis Suarez last year, but Hazard would be a worthy PFA Player of the Year.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
A brilliant technician with a feisty, combative edge, Sanchez’s dynamism makes him perfect for English football. He became Arsenal’s most important attacking player almost immediately.
Capable of scoring, assisting and tracking back, Sanchez has played in a variety of positions for Arsenal –in all four forward positions in Arsenal’s regular 4-2-3-1 formation. 14 goals and 8 assists is a fine return from his first season in English football, and with a month of the season still remaining too.
A post-Christmas dip in form will count against him in terms of the voting, but it’s between him and Diego Costa for the season’s best debutant.
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
The archetypical Jose Mourinho forward, Costa is a battering ram capable of running the channels and getting on the end of crosses, leading the line with brute force as much as technical ability.
The outstanding aspect of his game, however, is his chance-conversation rate: 33% is extremely high for any player in any division, which means that while the Spain international isn’t as involved in build-up play as many other forwards, he’s the most unerring finisher. As things stand, his minutes-per-goal ratio is slightly better than Aguero or Kane. Only fitness and disciplinary problems have let him down.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Kane is scoring goals with such regularity that you simply expect him to find the net these days, andhis debut England goal came as no surprise. Yet it’s worth remembering quite what an extraordinary rise this has been –at the start of the campaign, you could get 1000/1 for him to finish top goalscorer.
No one seems entirely sure quite how good Kane is, or whether this outstanding scoring form can last. When Spurs are on the back foot, Kane is a consistent outlet, either by dropping back to help out or running the channels. But his touch is good, his positional awareness is the type of thing you can’t teach and his finishing is consistently ruthless. It will be a huge surprise if he fails to scoop the PFA’s Young Player award.
featureThu, 16 Apr 2015 16:14:44 +0000Joe Brewin376063 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho expects Costa to miss four matchesJose Mourinho expects Diego Costa tomiss the nextfour more Premier League games, but the Chelsea manager will not be crying over the absence of his leading scorer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-expects-costa-miss-four-chelsea-matches
Costa lasted just 11 minutes as a second-half substitute in last weekend's 2-1 victory over Stoke Citybefore pulling up with a hamstring injury yet again.
The Spain international is expected to be missing for around two to three weeks, but Mourinho stressed thathestill has a big part to play in Chelsea's bid to win their first title for five years.
"Certainly he'll [Costa] be back [before the end of the season]," Mourinho said ahead of Sunday's London derby at QPR.
"Ithink we have eight matches to play, if he plays four it's normal. If he plays three he'sa little bit below what I'm expecting andif he plays five he plays more than I'mexpecting. So I'm thinking about four matches.
"I'm not concerned about his injury, I'm concerned about the match on Sunday. Idon't want to think about it for two or three weeks until he is fit. You never see me crying because a player is injured.Idon't want to think about it too much."
Costa is Mourinho's only concern, with John Obi Mikel fit and Cesc Fabregas set to play ina protective mask due to a broken nose.
Fabregas and Nemanja Matic are one booking away from a two-match suspension, but Mourinho will nothesitatetoplaythe midfield duo in the hotbed of a derby at Loftus Road.
"They will both start. It's always the same, we don't want bookings, we try not to get yellow cards during the match," he added.
"If they have to make a foul for a yellow card, these fouls you have to do it. The way we play Ithink it's not easy for our players to be booked.
"The game is a three-points game, we need points, we need victories. It doesn't make any sense to think about some matches and not others. This match is a three-points match and we have to play to our maximum to get them."
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news_articleFri, 10 Apr 2015 12:20:26 +0000Anonymous373425 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMourinho: Costa out for at least two weeksJose Mourinho expects Diego Costa to be out for at least a fortnight after the Chelsea striker suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the2-1 Premier Leaguewin over Stoke City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mourinho-costa-out-least-two-weeks
Mourinho named Costa on the substitutes' bench andstated ahead of Saturday'sgame at Stamford Bridge that it would be a "gamble" to play the Spain international.
The Chelsea boss brought Costa on at half-time after Charlie Adam had cancelled out Eden Hazard's penalty with a sensational strike from his own half just before the break.
Costa lasted only 11 minutes before he pulled up again and it was left to Loic Remy to score the winner for a second game in a row,sending Chelsea seven points clear at the top of the table.
Mourinho admitted it was a risk to bring Costa on, but has no regrets and laid no blame at the door of his medical department.
He told Sky Sports: "If my medical department decides to take four weeks to recover Diego this would not happen, but in football we need risks. I risk sometimes, as a manager in a result I don't like.
"We played more offensive and if the opponent scores I don't kill myself for that.
"But in all the scans they did two days ago the muscle was clear, the image was clear and the player trained twice 100 per cent, when he did much more than he did today.
"We put him in dozens of actions and the result was correct. My medical department is fantastic so there is no problem. Next week plays Remy and (Didier) Drogba, we wait for Costa again. For sure with that injury it will be a couple of weeks minimum."
Mourinho was pleased with the persistence shown by his side in a victory which kept them on course to win the title.
He added: "The most important thing is the three points. The importance is obvious, we started the game needing six wins and one draw [to be assured of finishing top of the table]and now we need five wins and one draw. It was difficult and deserved.
"We controlled the game and had the ball in the first half, tried to penetrate through a well-organised defence, we try and try and finally scored a goal with a great combination."
news_articleSat, 04 Apr 2015 19:35:29 +0000Anonymous370984 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta injury gamble backfires for ChelseaChelseas decision to risk Diego Costa backfired as the striker picked up yet another hamstring injury just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Stoke City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-gamble-backfires-chelsea
Costa, who has been troubled with hamstring problems throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, was initially left on the bench by Jose Mourinho for the visit of Stoke.
However, affter Charlie Adam's sensational 65-minute strike cancelled out Eden Hazard's penalty, Mourinho introduced Costa for the second half, only for the Spain internationalto limp out of the actionsoon after.
Prior to the match, Mourinho had said: "Two days of training is not enough for him [Costa] to feel ready to play.
"He's on the bench in case we need to gamble. If we have to do it, we will do it."
news_articleSat, 04 Apr 2015 17:55:47 +0000Anonymous370896 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLukaku better than Costa. claims RaiolaEverton striker Romelu Lukaku is better than Diego Costa and would not be playing for Everton had he met Mino Raiola earlier, the Belgium internationals new agent has stated.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lukaku-better-costa-raiola
Lukaku cut ties withChristophe Henrotay to link up with Raiola, who also represents players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Balotelli and Paul Pogba.
The former Chelsea and Anderlecht man joined Everton for a club-record fee of £28 million in July last year, putting pen to paper on a five-yeardeal.
His manager Roberto Martinez has already insisted that Lukaku's decision to choose Raiola as his agent does not mean a transfer is imminent. However, Raiola's words cast some doubtover his future at Goodison Park.
"If we had met each other earlier, he wouldn't have played for Everton," Raiola told Sudpresse."Maybe somewhere else, maybe he would still be at Chelsea.
"I want to be clear: Romelu is a better striker than Diego Costa and could have done the same as the Spaniard did this season. But the Chelsea directors had decided to buy another star [rather]than giving confidence to one of their young boys.
"Juventus was interested in him last summer,but I want to be clear: I don't think one of the Italian teams can pay that amount of money for one player. It's almost impossible. We have never said he would leave at the end of this season.
"We will see what happens in the summer, but the Everton directors don't have to think Rom will play there for the rest of his career.
"Later on, he'll play for one of world's best teams: PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Big names, but nothing is impossible as Rom has great potential."
news_articleFri, 03 Apr 2015 13:54:18 +0000Anonymous370342 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSurgery a last resort to resolve Costa problemsChelsea will only turn to surgery to fix Diego Costas troublesome hamstring injury as a last resort, says boss Jose Mourinho.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/surgery-last-resort-resolve-costas-hamstring-problems
Costa has been plagued by the problem throughout the season since arriving from Atletico Madrid, and has had to be closely monitored by the Premier League leaders to keep him on the pitch.
The striker – who has scored 19 goals in the league this season – was forced to withdraw from Spain's recent squad as the problem flared up again but Mourinho is confident they can manage and improve the situation going forward.
"He will continue to work the way he does to prevent it, to make the muscle stronger but still elastic and flexible," said Mourinho.
"We don't believe in operations, I always believe it is the last decision for every injury, we try to be conservative, to train, recover and work, we don't believe will go the surgery direction.
"Diego trained yesterday and today, he's not injured. I don't know if I will start with him or not because with a muscular injury you need to analyse situation with him.
"He has had no days off and has been working hard. We did all the tests to confirm two days ago that the muscle is fine, now he needs confidence that it won't break and he is free to express himself at the maximum intensity."
Meanwhile, Mourinho believes four teams are still contesting the title and has his sights firmly set on the 86 points they need to finish as champions.
"Given the points difference you have to say four [teams are in the running]," he added. "It makes me feel they are [all] there.
"We need six victories and one draw in nine matches so it's a good situation for us, it is a situation all the other clubs would like to be in.
"But I am not thinking about how or when [it happens]. I don't care where we win it, if it's in hotel, away or at home, I just want to win it."
news_articleFri, 03 Apr 2015 12:43:37 +0000Anonymous370311 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta: I take a beating from defendersChelsea striker Diego Costa is enjoying the physicality of the Premier League and insists he is getting better at controlling his temper.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-i-take-beating-premier-league-defenders
The Spain international has enjoyed a prolific debut season in England since moving from Atletico Madrid, with his lethal touch and physical approach helping him to a tally of 20 goals in all competitions.
While his aggression has landed him in trouble on occasions- notably when a stamp on Liverpool'sEmre Can earned him a three-match ban - Costa feels he is becoming calmer.
"I take a beating constantly, just like in Spain. But I'm not complaining," he told Marca, after a hamstring injury forced him out of Spain's squad for clashes with Ukraine and Netherlands.
"They go in hard,but also you don't get the free-kicks you do in Spain. Sometimes defenders try to target me and put me off my gamebut my self-control is getting better and I just try to do my thing.
"I don't think [the Premier League]is overrated. It's a tough league with some great teams in it. The smaller sides can beat you."
Chelsea are on course to win the Premier League, butwere recently knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the last 16 stage by French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
"Maybe the Christmas exertions have taken their toll; we played three matches in seven days.It's no excuse though," said Costa.
"I'm sure next season we'll go further in the Champions League."
Costa also discussed the similiarities between manager Jose Mourinho and his former coach at Atletico, Diego Simeone.
"They're similar in many respects. They have the same vision and the same hunger to win," he added.
"Mou has been winning things for many years now and has a wealth of experience. The same goes for Simeone.
"They both have the same ambition and a similar way of looking at matches."
news_articleWed, 25 Mar 2015 16:25:03 +0000Anonymous366450 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDel Bosque: Costa feels jinxed after new injuryVicente del Bosque has reassured Diego Costa he hasno doubts that his latestinjury isgenuine, althoughthe striker is beginning to believehe is jinxed.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-feels-jinxed-after-latest-withdrawal-del-bosque
Costa has not featured for the national team since October due to a string of fitness setbacks, but was set to make his return in this month's matches againstUkraine and Netherlands.
However, the 26-year-old picked up a hamstring injury during Chelsea's 3-2 victory over Hull City on Sunday and has since been replaced by Juanmi.
"He has a muscle tear and wasn't going to play," Del Bosquetold Onda Cero. "But the lad wanted to come and be examined by our doctors, to make himself available and so that nobody was suspicious.
"As far as I am concerned he didn't have to come because there is maximum confidence in the player and the logical thing would have been not to come, but he wanted to be with us.
"He says he has bad luck and it seems like someone has jinxed him. That's what people say when they really want to come and I hope he is able to join us again soon."
news_articleTue, 24 Mar 2015 13:14:10 +0000Anonymous366007 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHamstring tear forces Costa out of Spain squadChelsea striker Diego Costa will return to the club from international duty with Spain to receieve treatment on the hamstring injury he suffered at the weekend.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hamstring-tear-forces-costa-out-spain-squad
Costa left for Spain's training camp following Sunday's 3-2 win at Hull City in which he appeared to tweak his troublesome hamstring after scoring Chelsea's second goal.
However, the former Atletico Madrid man has been diagnosed with a grade one hamstring tear and will miss Spain's European qualifierwith Ukraine and their friendly against the Netherlands.
"Spanish international forward, Diego Costa,left the premises of the Spanish Football Federation this morning after undergoing several tests with the medical services of the RFEF," read a Spain statement.
"The strikers suffers a level 1 hamstring tear on the biceps femoris of the left thigh,which was previously already noted by the medical services of his club, whereby the Medical staff at the RFEF recommend him not to take part in the National Team's next matches against Ukraine and the Netherlands.
"Diego Costa will return to Chelsea FC where he will undergo the corresponding medical treatment."
Vicente del Bosque called up Malaga forward Juanmi on Monday as a precaution, should Costa be forced to pull out.
Costa - who opted to play for Spain over Brazil - made his debut for the European nation in March last year and scored his first goal against Luxembourg in October.
news_articleTue, 24 Mar 2015 09:29:53 +0000Anonymous365909 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSpain call-up Juanmi amid Costa injury concernsSpain have added Malaga striker Juanmi to their squad for fixtures against Ukraine and Netherlands as fears persist over the fitness of Chelsea striker Diego Costa.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/spain-call-juanmi-amid-costa-concerns
Juanmi has scored seven goals in 24 La Liga matches for Malaga this term and could earn his first cap for the national team.
The addition of Juanmi is sure to raise more concerns about the availability of Costa, who failed to finish Chelsea's 3-2 victory at Hull City on Sunday.
Costa scored the Premier League leaders' second goal at the KC Stadium, but was replaced by eventual match-winner Loic Remy in the 75th minute at the KC Stadium after seemingly struggling with a recurrence of his troublesomehamstring injury.
If the aftermath of thematch, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said: "Idon't know how serious it is. When a striker is playing and you need a goal to win a game with 15 minutes to go, when he says it's over for him, then it's over for me.
"We know his hamstring is not a strong one, he works hard during the week to compensate for this weakness he has there, but an injury can come."
Spain face a crucial Euro 2016 qualifying Group C encounter against Ukraine in Seville on Friday, before visiting Netherlands in a friendly nextTuesday.
news_articleMon, 23 Mar 2015 13:30:24 +0000Anonymous365555 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta returns for Spain as Vitolo earns call-upChelsea striker Diego Costa has returned to Vicente del Bosques Spain squad after missing their last two matches through injury.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-returns-spain-vitolo-earns-first-call
Vicente del Bosque has welcomed back Diego Costa to Spain's squad after the Chelsea striker missed both matches for the former world champions in November.
Costa was at the centre of a club-versus-country row last year as he struggled to maintain his fitness under the demands of playing at both levels.
A hamstring injury saw him miss the matches with Belarus and Germany in late 2014, but the Premier League's topscorer has returned to face Ukraine and Netherlands.
Del Bosque has also made room for potential debutants Sergio Asenjo and Vitolo, while Mikel San Jose and Mario Suarez are back in contention.
There is no place for Rayo Vallecano's Alberto Bueno, though, as the forward is unable to dislodge Pedro from the squad,despite netting 15 La Ligagoals this season.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David de Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Juan Bernat (Bayern Munich), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Pedro (Barcelona), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City), Mario Suarez (Atletico Madrid), Vitolo (Sevilla)
Forwards: Diego Costa (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus),
news_articleFri, 20 Mar 2015 13:50:57 +0000Anonymous364003 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBlanc warns PSG to ignore Costa provocationParis Saint-Germain must ignore the provocation of Diego Costa if they are to overcome Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg, Laurent Blanc has warned.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/blanc-warns-psg-ignore-costa-provocation
The Parisians dominated the Premier League leaders for large parts of the first leg on home soil, but could only manage a 1-1 draw.
PSG suffered Champions League elimination at Stamford Bridge last season, and Blanc has pinpointed ignoring Costa's histrionics as key if they are to avoid the same fate this year.
"Diego Costa is a boy who loves the contact, loves the duels, and is very suited to the English game," Blanc said.
"He likes the challenge, the contact, and provoking opposition players. That's something he needs. He thrives off that. It's important not to get caught up in that.
"I watched the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham and, right from the start, he was looking to do that.
"So the centre-backs playing around him have to be effective in stopping him. He's got good physicality, is technically good, but he tries to provoke a reaction. Always.
"Away from home, we have to be as effective as possible in trying to stop him."
news_articleTue, 10 Mar 2015 20:51:26 +0000Anonymous358506 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDont make Costa angry, warns AllardyceSam Allardyce has warned his West Ham players that making Diego Costa angry only serves to inspire thefeisty Chelsea star.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/dont-make-costa-angry-warns-allardyce
West Ham host Premier League leaders Chelsea on Wednesday, with Costa set to lead the line for Jose Mourinho's team.
Costa has rarely been out of the headlines in his first season in English football - the former Atletico Madrid striker scoring 17 goals in just 20 Premier League appearances, but also earning himself a three-match ban for stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can in January.
"We're not going to get involved with him, our central defenders are not to get involved with how he might upset them," Allardyce said.
"People say he's an old-fashioned centre-forward because he seems to get motivated by the physical and niggly aspect of it.
"I don't think it winds him up - it winds him up to make him better, which is a silly thing to do.
"He winds defenders up too, he'll do a bit of digging himself which is all part of how good he is.
"He's one of many we need to shackledown and if we are to keep him quiet we need to limit the service that is given to him."
news_articleWed, 04 Mar 2015 10:41:21 +0000Anonymous354899 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comWest Brom 1-0 Saints: What does Berahino need one more of to equal Diego Costa?Facts and stats from the Baggies narrow success over the Saints, using free analysis tool Stats Zone...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/west-brom-1-0-saints-what-does-berahino-need-one-more-equal-diego-costa
Saido Berahino's second-minute blockbuster proved enough to see off Champions League-chasing Southampton.
The England Under-21 international smashed home a stunning half-volley, but it proved to be a mixed afternoon for the striker who had to be withdrawn shortly after half-time through injury.
Ronald Koeman's men enjoyed 64% of possession at The Hawthorns and fired off 12 goal attempts to the Baggies' 7, yet they couldn't find a way to beat goalkeeper Ben Foster and now have just one Sadio Mane strike to show for their last four encounters.
For West Brom, the 'Pulis effect' continue to work wonders. Saturday's success lifts the Midlanders up to 13th in the table after a fourth successive game without defeat.
WestBrom’sopening goal was the first shot attempted by either side.
Southampton failed to keep a clean against the Baggies for the first time in four league meetings.
The Baggies have tasted defeat just once in 8 Premier League matches (W3 D4).
WestBromhave kept 5 clean sheets in their 7 Premier League matches under TonyPulis.
Berahinohas scored 9 home Premier League goals this season; only Diego Costa (10) has more.
Berahinohas bagged 8 home goals in his last 6 appearances at The Hawthorns (all competitions).
Berahino’seffort in the second minute was the earliest goal West Brom have scored since April 2014 (Vydravs Tottenham Hotspur).
Analyse West Brom 1-0 Southampton yourself using Stats Zone
featureSat, 28 Feb 2015 20:25:00 +0000Gregg Davies352657 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com